College Applications - how does it all work?

[flumperoo]

We're currently overseas so completely out of the loop. DD's school is very academic and all geared up to supporting students get into the best Universities around the world. My dd, however, wants to complete a BTEC Diploma. From having a nose around various college websites it seems that many request applications to have been in by January! I didn't realise it was so early. Dd has completed a few online applications, and received a reply today saying that any applications will be put on hold until she is living back in the UK. This won't be until late July time. I assume that will be too late for a Sept 2012 start. Does this means she's unlikely to get a place on a course?

Colleges request January applications due to the demand, finding time to gain references, interview etc. In general though, no places are confirmed until GCSE results day and the week beyond. she does though need to put her applications in, with a letter explaining that you are not in the UK yet.

There are still some places left in July, Also a lot of students apply for more and get excepted in more than one college, So they often turn down one of them and there can be places in September, DD1 didn't get the grades to be excepted on the course at the college she wanted to go to, We looked at courses at the begginning of September and phoned the college, She then got on a course although she missed the first couple of weeks, This was a few years ago but I think you'll find the same now,

Thank you for the replies. Sounds promising so I won't panic yet